Best Secret Santa gifts: Ideas for every budget

Tied to a budget and stuck for an idea? Here are the best Secret Santa gifts for under $50

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The best Secret Santa gifts are thoughtful, unexpected, and they prove how much you really know that person. It's a tricky task to find the right gift, especially if you're on a budget or your or your group of friends or team has set a specific cost cap - often it's a challenge to find worthy gifts that are under $10, under $20, under $30, under $40, or even under $50.

We've compiled what we think are the best Secret Santa gifts you can buy. Even if Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, you can still snag some great deals on top-of-the-line items we've recommended all year. And even if you don't find the perfect gift through us, check out retailers' websites to check out any new deals for your Secret Santa gift - you may even find a little special something for yourself or for someone you love.

The best Secret Santa under $10

Stress Squishy-Hamburger: $7.85 at WalmartA small but mighty gift for the coworker who could use a way to regroup and breathe. It's cute and fits in the palm of your hand - plus, it'll remind you to refuel. It's one of our top picks, too. View Deal

Dash Mini Waffle Maker: $9.99 at TargetThere's almost no way you can go wrong with this Secret Santa gift. This nifty waffle maker is a perfect space-saving appliance, and is perfect for single-servings. View Deal

52 Lists for Happiness: Weekly Journaling Inspiration for Positivity, Balance, and Joy: $9.49 at AmazonSelf-care and journaling are on the rise for a reason: there's something to be said for making reflection part of one's daily or weekly routine for a more positive outlook on like. For the colleague who loves the hottest trends in self-care. View Deal

Palm Reading Cards: $8 at Uncommon GoodsLearn the basics of palm reading with these cards from Uncommon Goods. For the spiritual colleague who wants to deepen their knowledge about what their future may hold. View Deal

Haley's Corker 5-in-1 Wine Aerator, Stopper, Pourer, Filter and Re-Corker: $5.56 at AmazonIt may not seem like much, but this corker can make any cheaper bottle of wine taste a little better. A great Secret Santa gift for the wine enthusiast. View Deal

The best Secret Santa gifts under $20

Northwind Supply Custom Leather Keychain: $11.35 at AmazonA great personalized option for the colleague who appreciates the little things that show thoughtfulness. This personalized keychain comes at a great price for its high quality. A Secret Santa gift your coworker will remember for years to come!View Deal

Upcycled Record Coasters: $18 at Uncommon GoodsThese coasters aren't just functional, but stylish and cool. They're made from reclaimed records, so if your Secret Santa gift recipient is a music-lover, this is the gift for them. View Deal

Natural Spa Bath Bombs Ultra Lush Gift Set: $15.99 at AmazonFor the colleague who loves a luxurious bath, or who just wants to relax. These are all the rage, and these are a steal at less than $20. View Deal

Modern Geometric White Ceramic Mini Succulent Planter Pots: $15.99 for 2, $17.99 for 3 at Amazon People are bringing plants back into their homes, and for the colleague who's too afraid to kill any plant, give them a succulent and these planter pots - succulents are notoriously hard to kill. View Deal

Takeya 10310 Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker:$19.99$18.99 at AmazonDoes your friend or colleague love cold brew? This nifty quart-sized cold brew maker is a Secret Santa gift they'll be using for a long time to come. Also comes in a 2 quart size.

Homedics Comfort Pro Vibration Neck Massager with Heat:$29.99$17.99 at BelkFor a small discount, you can buy a neck massager for the colleague who's always hunched over their desk. A steady vibration and heat delivery help soothe tense muscles. View Deal

The best Secret Santa gifts under $30

Google Home Mini:$49$25 at WalmartWith a $30 discount, this makes a great gift for busy moms or dads who prefer a hands-free approach to completing their to-do lists. Set timers, search for recipes, listen to audiobooks and music, and even control your lights. Buy one for a colleague, and get one for yourself, too. View Deal

Diecast Bugatti Veyron Super Sport Electric Remote Control Car: $29.95 at AmazonWe called the Bugatti Veyron remote control car one of the best remote control cars you can buy. It has working headlines and is easy to use, and makes a fun gift for the fun-loving colleague in your life. A toy that's great for both kids and adults alike. View Deal

Akasma Fitness Tracker HR: $25.99 at AmazonA basic fitness tracker makes a great gift for just about anyone. This Akasma version is pretty no-frills, and comes in three stylish colors. It's even compatible with most smart phones, meaning that you can stay connected. While you're hear, get one for yourself, too. View Deal

Echo Dot (3rd Gen):$49$24.99 at AmazonRight now, there's a $28 savings on Amazon's Alexa-enabled smart speaker. It's a hit with users. It's compact, stylish, and fits in any home. And at a discounted price, it's a great gift for any colleague - even the one you don't know very well. View Deal

Karaoke Microphone - More Than Magic™ Black Star: $20.99 at TargetA great gift for the colleague who loves to sing. Let them showcase their talent this holiday season with a karaoke microphone their whole family is bound to enjoy, too. View Deal

Cards Against Humanity Game: $25 at TargetWe don't think that there's anyone who doesn't like playing Cards Against Humanity: a great game to play with friends and family, and there's sure to be good times ahead. For the colleague who could use a good laugh.View Deal

Bamboo Charging Stations for Multiple Devices: $25.99 at AmazonThe colleague who has a ton of devices probably needs a place to charge them. This bamboo charging station is stylish and creatively designed. It can hold up to 6 devices, too. View Deal

YETI Rambler, 14oz: $24.99 at AmazonFor the colleague who's always late after waiting in line for coffee - this YETI rambler is make out of stainless steel and makes any morning cup of joe a pleasure to indulge in on the go. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe. View Deal

National Geographic Break Open 10 Premium Geodes: $24.99 at AmazonThis is a Secret Santa gift your colleague won't forget. It's got everything you need to both release some energy and uncovering something beautiful. Stray on the included goggles and hammer away to find some beautiful hand-picked geodes. View Deal

The best Secret Santa gifts under $40

Google Chromecast (3rd Generation): $35 at AmazonGreat thinks come in small packages! Stream movies, live TV, YouTube, videos, and even photos on your TV from any device. Perfect for that colleague who watches entire movies on their phone. View Deal

Fire 7 Tablet, 16GB: $39.99 at AmazonThe 16G version of the top-rated Fire 7 tablet won't put you over $50 - so if you're feeling generous and want to treat a hard-working colleague as their Secret Santa, this is the gift to give. View Deal

Insignia 6-Quart Multi-Function Pressure Cooker:$59.99 $39.99 at Best BuyAfter a savings of about $20, this still makes a generous gift for a coworker or friend. It's one of the best-selling cooking tools and one of the best-loved, so you can't go wrong with this gift!View Deal

The best Secret Santa gifts under $50

Farberware 3.2 Quart Digital Air Fryer:$69$41.99 at WalmartRight now, there's a $30 discount on this Farberware air fryer, making it the perfect Secret Santa gift for the coworker who loves to cook, but wants to start eating a little healthier in the new year. View Deal

MyHeritageDNA: $79$49 at MyHeritageDNARight now, MyHeritageDNA is at its lowest price ever: order it now for some amazing savings. A great gift for a colleague with a big family, or a coworker looking for their origins - you never know what you'll help them find out. View Deal

Nerf N-strike Elite Infinus:$69.99 $49.98 at Walmart A perfect gift for the colleague who has an inner child that's just begging to come out. At a great $20 discount, you can trust that you'd be spending your money on a gift that's well-worth the cost. View Deal

What is a Secret Santa gift exchange?

A Secret Santa gift exchange is a tradition in which many people, especially companies and corporations, partake in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This tradition dictates that those who volunteer to participate will purchase a gift for a colleague not of their choosing, while sticking to a budget. Often, names are written on slips of paper and individuals pull them out of a hat. The Secret Santa then purchases a gift under a certain amount dictated by the company, team, or corporation. This amount is usually under $30 to $40, so small gifts of more or less equal value are given to ensure fairness. The budget can be more or less, but that can vary across team. After all, it's a tradition that's supposed to be fun, and there are no set rules!

What makes a good Secret Santa gift?

Like for any gift you'd give to a friend or loved one, a good Secret Santa gift is one that demonstrates how much you know about the gift recipient and how much you appreciate them. While buying a gift that checks those boxes can be hard when you can't spend over a certain amount, there are thousands of items and products that your Secret Santa gift recipient can appreciate. Even if you don't know your colleague that well, there are Secret Santa gifts that are not just fun, but functional. Think about small tech products or a personalized trinket - these are the things that will show that you put some thought into your gift, even if you just consulted this list!

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